Caravan Virgin..Please Help

[gareth_374315678]

As with the title we have just accquired our first "trial" van, we love camping and have done for some years but now have a dog have decided to up grade to a van. I'm just getting used to the whole caravan scene so please be gentle and promise not to laugh!

Our outfit is a 1985 Cosalt/Abbey piper 430L 5 berth whilst it looks clean and tidy over the years suffers from wear and modifications. My intentions are to spend some time and money to improve and update some of the features along with alot of cleaning. The van as a combined sink and hob arrangement but unfortunately no oven. I consider myself as a very keen and competent DIYer and not having/wanting to chuck a load of money into the project intend doing the work myself if poss. Looking at the new vans most look to have full size free standing cookers that you would find within the home is it possible to fit these in the van? Some that I have seen so they run on LPG, not being used to gas in the house all that I can see is a coupling to the rear of the appliance. I would replace all the pipe work and hoses from the cooker to the gas bottle supply.

Thanks Gareth

 

[Ian_5094401]

Hllo Gareth,

The first thing to say is that any work done on the gas and electrical system should be checked by a qualified fitter before being used. That is not to say that you can't do the fitting yourself.

Gas appliances in the caravan must have a flame failure device. Domestic cookers are not fitted with this feature in most cases.

LPG gas is delivered to the appliance at a different pressure to household gas. So the appliance you fit must be built to opperate at LPG pressure.

I guess the simple answer is to fit a unit that is specifically designed for use in a caravan.

 

[Bri-C]

Hi Gareth..

I don't want to discourage you from this project but there are several issues that you will need to consider. However in itself it's now too dificult.

The weight of the cooker will affect the available payload of the caravan.

The location of the cooker will affect the balance of the van moving more weight to one side or to the rear depending on the chosen location. This has o be taken into account when loading you van. The weight on one wheel must be within a few percent of the other I can get this figure if you need it but I would have to dig out the book.( 5% seem to ring a bell )

The location of the cooker would need a drop hole cut through the floor to allow any gas to escape. ( Gas being heavier than air )

A cooker is a room vented devise so you would need to check and increase the ventelation area of the van both top and bottom. Again I can get the calculation figures with a little digging.

Once done you should get the whole thing checked by either an ACOP's (lpg) or CORGI (lpg) qualified person otherwise your insurance could be invalid

As an ACOP's qualified person I have a responsibility to advise you of these things. However what you choose to do is entirely up to you.

Regards Brian.......

 

[Damian]

For per September 1998 caravans, BS5601 part 1 applies to ventilation.

The formula is: V=(2200xU)+(440xF)+(650xP)

V=the minimum free area odf ventilation

U=the input rating of all unflued gas appliancesthat are not room sealed(cookers)(in kW)

F=the input rating of all flued gas appliances that are not room sealed(in kW)

P=the number of people for which the caravan has been designed.

Ventilators should be fixed dedicated for the purpose, and windows cannot be deemed to be a ventilator.

For later vans different rules apply.

 

[gareth_374315678]

Can I just say a big thank-you to the people who have responded I'm blown away with the helpful advise and also the speed at which these people replied. I know from camping the community spirit that exists but this is fantastic. I only bought the van on Friday, magazine Saturday and my first answers on Sunday! Thanks again

Gareth